Liverpool boss Arne Slot and captain Virgil van Dijk have backed record signing Florian Wirtz to find his form, urging patience as the midfielder continues to adapt to life in England.
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Liverpool’s £116 million summer arrival Florian Wirtz is yet to record a goal or an assist since joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but both Arne Slot and Virgil van Dijk insist the 22-year-old has shown enough promise to silence his critics in time.
The Germany international arrived at Anfield as part of Liverpool’s record-breaking £446 million transfer window, but has so far endured a frustrating start, featuring in seven Premier League matches and two Champions League fixtures without registering a direct contribution.
Despite growing media scrutiny, both manager and captain have spoken out to defend the playmaker, highlighting his creativity, work rate, and the adjustment period required when moving to a new league.
Slot: “He’s been unlucky — goals will come”
Ahead of Liverpool’s high-profile clash with Manchester United on Super Sunday, Slot told Sky Sports that statistics do not fully capture Wirtz’s impact on the team.
“When a player joins for that kind of fee, people tend to focus only on goals and assists,” said Slot. “But if you analyse the games closely, he could easily have six or seven assists already. He’s been creating chances that, on another day, would have been finished.”
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The Dutch coach cited several examples of Wirtz’s playmaking, including a near-perfect assist against Chelsea shortly after coming on as a substitute.
“In that Chelsea match, within a minute of coming on, he produced a brilliant flick to Mo Salah — normally, that’s a certain goal. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, Mo scores that, but on that day it just didn’t go in,” Slot explained. “He’s been a bit unlucky with the finishing from those he’s set up.”
Slot also drew comparisons between Wirtz’s early struggles and Kevin De Bruyne’s time at Chelsea, noting that even elite players need time to adjust when moving to the Premier League.
“Maybe I’m underestimating the best midfielder to ever play in the Premier League,” Slot said. “Kevin De Bruyne was around 21 or 22 when he went to Chelsea — and it took him time to show his true level. Florian’s in a similar position. He’s young, adapting to a new league, and he’ll get there.”
The Liverpool boss confirmed Wirtz will continue to feature regularly in the coming weeks but stressed the importance of managing his workload amid the busy fixture schedule.
“He needs to play — and he’s played a lot,” Slot added. “When players come from another country and face a more demanding schedule, it’s normal they might need the odd game off. But he’ll keep getting minutes, because that’s how he’ll find his best form.”
Van Dijk: “He just needs time and support”
Captain Virgil van Dijk echoed his manager’s sentiments, pointing out the off-field challenges players face when adapting to new surroundings and expectations.
“The main thing when new players arrive — especially after a big transfer — is that they feel welcome and settled,” Van Dijk said. “When I joined for a lot of money, it was crucial that my home situation was stable, that my family was happy. Once those things are right, the performances will follow.”
Van Dijk emphasized that adaptation in the Premier League is rarely instant, particularly for younger players switching from different footballing cultures.
“It takes time to get used to new teammates, a new style of play, and the demands of the Premier League,” he said. “We live in a world where people expect instant results, but that’s not always realistic. As long as we, as a team, focus on improving every day, I have no doubts about Florian.”
The Liverpool skipper also defended the club’s other summer arrivals — including Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Milos Kerkez — insisting that their quality will soon shine through once the team gels.
“It’s not just about one player,” he added. “Florian, Alexander, Hugo, Milos — they all have great quality. The more we train together, the stronger we’ll become as a group. Every session and every game brings us closer to where we want to be.”
Patience urged as Liverpool eye long-term success
While Wirtz’s goal contributions have yet to arrive, Slot and Van Dijk’s public backing reflects the club’s confidence in his long-term potential. The German international remains a central part of Liverpool’s rebuilding project under Slot, who believes his creative instincts and vision will soon translate into tangible results.
As Liverpool prepare for their showdown against Manchester United, attention will again turn to whether Wirtz can finally make his mark on the scoresheet — but inside the club, patience remains the message.
“He’s a top talent,” Slot concluded. “It’s just a matter of time before everyone sees why we brought him here.”
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